London has been battered by 50mph winds that have felled trees and caused travel chaos. Powerful gusts swept across the capital as the Met Office issued a yellow "be aware" weather alert for most of the country.

He plays the guitar, but we’ve never had a chance to jam. We will one day, sitting on our bicycles.

He does a great impression of a Mod. How are your cycling skills?

It’s been a good two years since I’ve been on a bike. It was all right last time, I managed to stay upright and all that. It wasn’t racing, it was just for the pure enjoyment of feeling the wind in my hair.

Do those sideburns take a lot of effort to keep in check?

They grow intermittently. It takes no effort at all really so they don’t bother me. I think I’d be fine without ’em.

What’s on your Christmas playlist?

The new Toy album. I like what they’re doing musically and melodically. It’s a little psychedelic, but in a modern way. I also like Jake Bugg’s record, he’s very good.

There’s a new Jam compilation album out; have you got your sights set on the Christmas number one?

No, not at all, it’s not that kind of record. It’s out there for the fans. I don’t expect it’s even in the running.

So The X Factor winner James Arthur is safe?

Yeah. I only watched it because my 13-year-old daughter did, but I wouldn’t be able to tell the contestants apart. They all sounded the same to me.

One of your twin sons is called Bowie; were there any other names in the running?

My wife chose that name because she’s a massive David Bowie fan. My choice was John Paul for the other one.

After the Pope?

After my dad and also after John and Paul from the Beatles. I certainly wouldn’t name him after a pope!

If you could say one thing to David Cameron, what would it be?

Happy Christmas. Peace on earth. Do right by your brothers and sisters. He doesn’t really run the country, so nothing else.

What will you be doing on Christmas Day?

Watching crap telly and eating too much.

Paul Weller plays Crisis Presents… at the Hammersmith Apollo on 19 December with special guests Emeli Sandé, Miles Kane and host Ben Elton; tickets from crisis.org.uk. His new single ‘Dragonfly’ is out on 17 December